Any suggestions on how to effectively warm-up before a practice session/competition?
A routine that's been working for me before each practice session is to roll 10 balls on the table, and just start shooting them all in with ball in hand after each miss. Rather than focusing on results (i.e. running balls and playing perfect position), I instead focus on each of the following 5 "mantras" per rack:
1) landing in line, and start practice strokes only when comfortably set up;
2) ending the eye pattern on the object ball, and focus on the set position/getting that "I'm ready" feeling before final stroke;
3) feeling the weight of the cue (this was in another thread--my way of feeling the pause)
4) pendulum stroke (moving only from elbow down);
5) staying down!
After 50 balls I feel like I'm ready for the drills/practice games. Only problem is that this routine takes forever and sometimes I don't have enough time before a match, and the voice in my head keeps wondering if I'm ready DURING the match. Any pointers?
A routine that's been working for me before each practice session is to roll 10 balls on the table, and just start shooting them all in with ball in hand after each miss. Rather than focusing on results (i.e. running balls and playing perfect position), I instead focus on each of the following 5 "mantras" per rack:
1) landing in line, and start practice strokes only when comfortably set up;
2) ending the eye pattern on the object ball, and focus on the set position/getting that "I'm ready" feeling before final stroke;
3) feeling the weight of the cue (this was in another thread--my way of feeling the pause)
4) pendulum stroke (moving only from elbow down);
5) staying down!
After 50 balls I feel like I'm ready for the drills/practice games. Only problem is that this routine takes forever and sometimes I don't have enough time before a match, and the voice in my head keeps wondering if I'm ready DURING the match. Any pointers?
